CPIML Member of Parliament from Arrah, Sudama Prasad, has returned the expensive gifts received from RITES and Rail Vikas Nigam Limited during the study tour of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Railways, conducted between 31 October and 7 November 2024. The tour covered Bangalore, Tirupati, and Hyderabad. The gifts included a 1-gram gold coin and a 100-gram silver block.

In a letter dated November 2, 2024 addressed to the Chairperson of the Railway Standing Committee, CM Ramesh, the MP remarked that traditionally, guests are presented with shawls, paintings, flowers, or other mementos. He strongly criticised the Indian Railways for giving unethical gifts such as a gold coin and a silver block.

Highlighting his concern, Sudama Prasad stated that when passengers are grappling with issues such as inadequate safety measures, fare hikes, lack of amenities, and disrespectful treatment by Indian Railways, gifting such expensive items to members of the Standing Committee is deeply unethical. He termed it a sinister attempt to silence MPs from raising public interest issues.

He further noted that railway employees are denied even minimum wages, forced to work on contracts, and subjected to exploitation by contractors. At the same time, common passengers are deprived of dignified travel conditions in general and sleeper-class compartments. Instead of introducing new trains for the poor and middle classes, the government has focused on premium trains like the Vande Bharat Express. This reflects the Modi regime’s attempt to deny railway services to ordinary citizens, he added.

Sudama Prasad expressed his indignation and disappointment over such gifts and has returned them as a mark of protest. He urged the government to prioritise addressing critical issues plaguing Indian Railways over indulging in such practices.